Henkin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Henkin family name is linked to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from the baptismal name John, which was originally derived from the diminutive Johan-kin.

"The English form was Jankin or Jenkin, but Hankin, introduced from the Low Countries, gradually naturalized itself, though it never became actually English. 'Hankin Booby was a common name for a clown': Chappell's English Songs. 'Thus for her love and loss poor Hankin dies, His amorous soul down flies.': Musarum Deliciae, 1655." 1

Early Origins of the Henkin family

The surname Henkin was first found in Somerset, where Alexander Henekyng was listed there 1 Edward III (in the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 2

The early London registry Rotuli Litterarum Clausarum in Turri Londinesi listed Hanekin de Fine and the Munimenta Gildhallæ Londoniensis listed Hanekyn Jocelyn. 1

The Latin form of the name, Hankynus was listed in Oxfordshire in 1285 and in Cheshire, Hanekyn de London was listed there in 1300. Willelmus filius Hamekin was found in Lincolnshire in 1232. 3

Again in Cheshire, Hondekin the Barbur was listed in the Assize Rolls in 1286 and later, Hugh Hankyn was in the Subsidy Rolls in 1327. In Sussex, Thomas Hamekyng was listed there in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327. 3

Early History of the Henkin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Henkin research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1602, 1761, 1782 and 1787 are included under the topic Early Henkin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Henkin Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Henkin include Hankin, Hankins, Hanking, Hankinson, Hanken and others.

Early Notables of the Henkin family

Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Henkin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Henkin migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Henkin were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Henkin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Thedore Henkin, who arrived in Mobile, Ala in 1890 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Henkin (post 1700) +

Niki Henkin, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1984 5
C. W. Henkin, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Ohio, 1904 5

The Henkin Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Vi et animo
Motto Translation: By strength and courage.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html